Rosemary was born June 25, 1914, in Ann Arbor, Mich., to Walter Garrison and Helen Ballard Hopkins. She attended school in Tonkawa, Okla., where her father was the school superintendent and graduated high school in Edmond, Okla. She was employed at White and Kirk Department Store, Capitol Hotel and Laborers Local Union. She was a member of North Beacon Church of the Nazarene.

Rosemary was named for her grandmothers, Rose Ballard and Mary Hopkins.

She was an original “Rosie the Riveter,” having built B-17s at the Boeing Aircraft Plant in Seattle during World War II. It was a great source of real pride to have been part of the war effort. She was honored by officials in 2003 for her war effort at the ribbon-cutting of the new Rosie the Riveter/War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, Calif.

Special thanks go to her grandson, Jeff, for faithfully picking her up for church, taking her to doctor visits and especially dealing with her hearing aids! They had a special relationship.

Special thanks to Sandra Mestas for her faithful care over the last year. Thanks also to all of her Meals on Wheels folks who came every day for so many years and the staff at Bivins Nursing home, BSA Hospital and BSA Hospice. Thanks also to Pastor Jerry Thomas for always being there for our family. It does take a village to care for our older loved ones. Thanks for being our village.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; a sister; and her husband, Lee A. “Blackie” Edwards, in 1981.

Survivors include a son, Tom Downs and wife Lois of Phoenix; a daughter, Cherie Payne and husband Bill of Broomfield, Colo.; a son, Robert Muncy and wife Angela of Howard, Pa.; a son, Jimmy Muncy and wife Nancy of Amarillo; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to Rosemary’s church, North Beacon Church of the Nazarene, 1601 N. Nelson St., Amarillo, TX 79107.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.